PREDICTORS AND RISKS FOR ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN THE SOUTH PART OF IRAQ

Background: Cardivascular diseaes (CVD) is the commonest cause of death in Iraq. Many factors play roles in the etiology of those diseases.

Objectives: To study the predictors and determinants for ischemic heart diseases in patients attending health care facilities in the southern part of Iraq.

Methodology: This matched case–control study was conducted in Maysan province. Maysan is a small city in the South east of Iraq. Target population was known cases of patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) attending 10 primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) to receive their free medications. Their ages are ranged from 35 to 65 years. The control group was selected from patients complaining of acute illnesses attending the same clinics seeking medical care; all were free from IHD. The total number for each group was 200. The questionnaire was modified from several studies. The data were collected by the researcher through direct interview with patients as well as from their relatives or their accompanying persons.

Results: Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and DM were associated with IHD (p<0.001). CVA was not associated with IHD (P>0.05), Corticosteroid intake was significantly associated with IHD (p<0.001). Hormonal replacement therapy, contraceptive medications and NSAIDs intake were not associated with IHD. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted using IHD as an outcome and eighteen study variables which were significantly associated to the outcome in the univariate analysis were used as predictors. Only eight of these variables showed significant association with multiple regression, the coefficient of eight variables were as follows: BMI (p= 0.03), physical activity (p= 0.001), fruit (p= 0.001) vegetables (p = 0.001), oils (p = 0.001), HT (p = 0.001), hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.001) and DM (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: IHD seems to be more frequent among heavy smokers, less active people, Stressful people and heavy alcohol drinkers. Roast fish was associated with low risk of IHD. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and DM were associated with IHD. Corticosteroid intake was associated with IHD.